Attraction: Double Top Trail

Double Top Trail leads south from East Brush Creek Trail, 400, to Farris Creek Trail, 409. This trail combined with Brush Creek Road forms a popular mountain biking loop.

Double Top Trail, 405, can be accessed from Farris Creek Trailhead (south) and/or East Brush Creek (north). Hikers can begin the trail from either end, but mountain bikers should begin riding from East Brush Creek, due to some large steps on the trail. Double Top Trail can be combined with Brush Creek Road and East Brush Creek to form a loop ride. This description begins on East Brush Creek and ends at the Double Top junction with Farris Creek Trail. The trail is approximately 13 miles from beginning to end.

Double Top Trail branches from East Brush Creek Trail, 400, at an elevation of 11,800 feet. The trail remains relatively level for the first mile descending and ascending slightly between 11,600 feet and 11,800 feet. Approximately one and a half miles from East Brush Creek Trail, Double Top Trail forks. The left fork leads directly to Cement Creek Road. To reach Farris Creek Trail, follow Double Top Trail to the right at the fork. This fork lies at 11,400 feet.

The mile after the first fork in the trail follows a ridge at approximately 11,200 feet, then begins to descend to intersect with the Block and Tackle Motorized Trail, 545. After passing Block and Tackle Trail, Double Top Trail begins to ascend a high ridge. The trail climbs for two miles before reaching a high point on the ridge of 11,742 feet.

Approximately a half mile from the high point on the ridge Waterfall Trail, 555, branches from Double Top Trail and descends to Cement Creek. Follow the right side of the fork to remain on Double Top Trail. After this junction the trail begins to ascend Double Top Mountain. The trail skirts the eastern flanks of Double Top Mountain remaining close to 11,600 feet for a mile. Nearing the southern slopes of Double Top the trail begins to descend.

The trail forks on the southern side of Double Top Mountain, 12,174 feet. The left fork leads to Walrod Trail, 412. To continue on Double Top Trail follow the right fork, which continues to steadily descend. Two miles from Walrod Trail, Double Top Trail crosses Walrod Gulch as it begins to lead around the southeastern flanks of Point Lookout, 11,225 feet. One half mile from the stream crossing, the trail ascends slightly to cross a ridge. The trail reaches 10,910 feet on this ridge then descends quickly to meet Farris Creek Trail. The elevation at the trail junction is 9,975 feet.

From this junction riders can continue southward (left) to the Farris Creek Trailhead on Cement Creek Road. Turning left at this fork will bring riders to Farris Creek Road, 736, which ends on Brush Creek Road. Both routes from this junction descend, but the return to Brush Creek Road is a few miles longer.

Directions: From East Brush Creek, From Crested Butte drive two miles south on Highway 135 to Brush Creek Road, 738. Turn left on Brush Creek Road and travel six miles to a fork in the road. Take the right side of the fork, which is Brush Creek Road. (From this point a four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary.) Follow Brush Creek Road for almost three more miles, where you'll see East Brush Creek Four-wheel Drive Route, 738.2B, branching to the right. Turn right and begin following East Brush Creek Road. Two miles after this turn you'll reach the Block and Tackle Trailhead, continue traveling. East Brush Creek Road ends in one mile at the Brush Creek Trailhead. Travel north toward Pearl Pass and the Friends Hut from this trailhead for one and a quarter miles, where you'll reach a fork in the trail. The left fork will lead to Pearl Pass and the Friends Hut. Take the right side of the fork, Trail 400, to reach the northern terminus of Double Top Trail. Double Top Trail will fork to the right in approximately one mile.